The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-01
BITTER SWEET.

Only girl, blooming with all the fresh
ness of IS years, sitting curled up in tn,
bay window, watching for the postman
the eyes full Of dreams, the mouth snil
ing, the whole picture suggestive of youth
and happiness.
The postman gave letter into the out
stretched hands of Young girl in the
morning of life and love.
The letter, opened and read, fell from
the nerveless hand of woman, matured
By sudden and awful horror Only an
other man faithless, another life blighted
Only the old story.
DEAR FRIEND BAgBARA: / fear YOU
will be somewhat surprised and panied at
what feel compelled to write You. For
weeks have been conscious ola growing
change in my sentiments toward you
What ! thought was love was only fancy
the result of association. Knowing
this. / could never make you happy as
my wife. Therefore, | trust yont will
give me my freedom as ] give YOU yours,
and always think of me as your friend.
" HOWARD Snow"
So the beautiful dream of year that
had filed a young life with the golden
glory of a June sunrise was quenched in
the blackness Of starIess night
And while she sat in the shadows
struggling with her stricken young heart
that knew not how to entertain the stran-
ger, pain, striving yainly to pierce the
impenetrable gloom that shroHded her,
200 miles away Howard Snow basked in
the sunlight of another woman's smile.
He WAS not cruel or a heartless man.
But his better impulse, his sympathies,
his regard for the feelings of Others, were
all lost in an infatuation for one of Circe's
descendants.
Howard Snow was only Is, and Helen
Thomas was 80 One of those women
who ripen like peach in the sun, and
to whom mature years add only richer
charms.
1t was the old story of young mans
infatuation for woman Older than him
self 1t blinded his judgementand blum
teb bis sense of right and wrong, and
made him conscious of but one desire in
life. TO be free. His bonds TO Barbara
Walker grew hateful, and she seemed TO
him child, whose weakness would be a
drag upon him always.
so he freed himself. and for month
was happy with drunkarfs happiness.
Then his better nature awoke with sud
den shock He spoke Of marriage 10
Helen Thomas, and she laughed in his
face.
Marriage" she said why you are
only a boy How can you think of 50
absurd thing?"
And her laughter had the ring of scorn
in it.
Then he went away
He thought Of Barbara Walker with a
but with no idea Of consult
ing her with any attempt at a renewal Of
old ties He felt no love for her, in truth ;
only he felt his baseness and lack of sta
bility.
He applied himself to his profession,
and made a success Of it. lie grew rich,
prosperous, popular with men, but fear
ed by women. for his sarcas was unspair-
ing and his wit always two-edged. Yet
women, sought after him,
for he had personal attractions added to
his wealth and influence, and seemed a
desirable husband for an ambitious wo-
man.
But he reached the age Of 80 and was
still free. And then he met Barbara
Walker again.
Through all these years he had lost
trace Of her and known nothing of her.
Now they met suddenly, and TO him. at
least, unexpectedly, at a formal dinner
party, given by prominent politician.
Howard Snow was presented to Miss
Walker by the hostess and requested TO
lead her in to dinner 1t was Barbara
Walker There was no mistakine the
face and form he so well remembered,
and yet what a change!
The nine years had but perfected the
girlish graces that were pleasing of old
and lent the charm ofdisnity and elegance
to what was once only sweetness and
The shy, modest manner had
given place to perfect self-possession and
rare conversational powers rendered her
the star Of the evening.
Howard Snow scarcely left her side all
the evening She charmed him with her
descriptions of scenery and chil-chat of
foreign life.
Il would be glad to call,p he said as
thev parted. "Where can | find you?"
"In the house where we first met," she
said, glancing up at him with the old shy
look. Il ana visiting the same friends"
He could no, have described his sensa-
tions AS he rang the bell the next day
and was urshed into the presence of that
queealy woman who was once his be-
trothed wife. Admiration, reverence, re-
spect and, it seemed to him, love, stirred
together IN his heart.
II was only one Of many calls She was
50 kind, so cordial. 50 entertaining. Her
soul was too large to treasure any resent
ment against him for that old wrong.
Then by and by he grew to realize how